"I am Leng. I am here to help," he says calmly. Taking Avogadro's rapid-fire questions and comments in order, he says, "Roet and I are both part of a larger order of students of a sublime way of living. I was coming this way because this is the way that the road went. I know about Silas because his caravan drivers were arrested, and yes, I will buy you breakfast if that will help to set you at ease."
Arnon says his farewells to Roet, and asks for a blessing of Erastil to guide him in the future.
He turns to Leng, and extends a hand to him.
"Arnon Marquez, servant of Erastil, at your service. Thank you for your help, and welcome to our company. Don't mind Avogadro the Astounding, he is somewhat distrustful of new people."
Leng shakes Arnon's hand and says, "Then I shall have to endeavor to earn his trust. And yours!"
"As I'm sure you will," Pip replies cheerfully. "If you're a part of the same school as Roet, I'll be glad to hide be-- have you at our side! The name's Pipernortin, entertainer and wanderer."
Leng goes down to one knee and offers his hand to Pipernortin as well. "Pleased to meet you, Pipernortin," he says. "I'm a wanderer too, so I'm sure we'll have plenty to do and lots to see."
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Garekk approaches Leng and bows. "Roet was stalwart and honorable. If you are an associate of his, I will trust you to be the same. Well met! My name is Garekk." he offers his hand, then turns to admonish Avo.
"You should pay for his meal for your rudeness.. He didn't pour all that ale down your throat last night!" He softens his words with a small grin and a wink before finding a seat and a barmaid to put in his own order for breakfast.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Avogadro scowls, seeing that he is on his own in his mistrust, and slumps over to where Garekk is sitting and orders his own breakfast.
knows Silas does he... hmmmm...
"Thank you for your kind words, Garekk. I shall attempt to live up to those high standards," says Leng with another quick bobbing of his head. "So... I still don't know what it is that we are doing, although I presume it has to do with Silas and the caravan? I mean, after we eat, of course."
Then Den comes in from his morning walk around Belhaim and into the woods. Draken has a small weasel dangling from her mouth. The druid is wet from dew but his step is brisk and eyes clear.
"New friend, Garekk? Who's this?"
"Ah, hello," says Leng, a bit awkwardly. "I am Leng. Roet had another obligation to attend to, so I have taken on the obligation of seeing through his connection with this group. We are both students from a similar tradition and so I owe it to him as a fellow student to help him, which means helping you as he did," he explains.
"We were just discussing what we were going to eat, and then... uhh... perhaps I could get some more information about how I can be helpful."
As the food arrives Avogadro tucks in like a man possessed. Knife and fork moving with a speed and dexterity that doesn't suit the man. With every mouthful he becomes more hale, more human. Until at last he looks up from the empty plate, a smile on his face that has been missing since early the last evening.
"Now that is better! How can one be civil without a civilized meal in ones belly?"
He rises from the table, legs rock steady, and strides over to Talia
"Ms Talia, this last evening was a joy... I think. You are wonderful company! But now the bright, oh so bright, light of day is upon us and I fear I must bring up the tiresome, despicable and generally unfriendly subject of economy. You have been a friend to we strangers in your town, you have put us up in your fine tavern and looked after us better than we deserve. Though you will doubtless protest, I must offer you some compensation for your kindness, and I will not accept any contest of the matter. What would be satisfactory remuneration for the care you have shown us?"
"Den ...and this is Draken, my companion. Any friend of Roet is a welcome addition to me. Thank you Leng. Perhaps you can eat with us while Avo talks?"
Den pats his chest then sits down to eat some porridge. The crunch of weasel comes from under the table as Draken goes to work.
"A wizard's tower collapsed yesterday. We agreed to serve the Baroness and investigate under ground, in its dungeon. Which was much older and held strange objects - Pip knows more of that than I. But the wizard involved has a home next to the tower and he lay dead in a basement tunnel with many kobolds. Others explained that they were working with the wizard...Hunclay..... from a chief's tribe nearby. We seek better gear and the answers to some questions before we head out to convince the kobolds to leave. Aaron hopes for them to survive, our Baroness expects them gone - alive or dead." Den points to Aaron to emphasize his point with a spoon.
"That is the bare bones. There is far more that my more verbose companions can say. But that is a beginning for you, Leng. Perhaps you could let me eat now that the porridge is cooled? and tell me of yourself."
"Of course," says Leng. "Apologies for interrupting your meal." He hesitates momentarily, then says, "As much as it is an old and tired story, I am a wanderer - a transient, if you will. I travel country roads looking to learn more about the world around me and to have instructive experiences, both for the value of such learning and for the joy of those experiences in and of themselves."
"From time to time I take on odd jobs here and there. I have some training in the, ah, the 'perfected arts' as they are sometimes colorfully called - the practice of the exercises of war as a means to focus, hone one's mind and body, and learn one's capabilities. When more mundane tasks are needed I am not averse to common labor, and I also have some training in the manufacture of simple weapons. On occasion I will earn a bit of my keep sharpening knives and maintaining the weapons of the militia of villages that I visit."
"Roet, too, was a student of the perfected arts, and there is a long tradition of this form of study, passed down from mentor to student. Just as I owe my mentor a great debt for teaching me all that he did, I have an obligation to others who have studied in the same way. I was asked to find Roet and tell him that he was needed at a monastery not far from here, and of course I cannot simply leave his tasks unfinished, so here I am!"
"When it comes to wizard towers I must admit that I know little, nor am I especially familiar with kobolds. I will do what I can to make myself useful, though, whether through advice or in battle if the need should arise."
"If there are any finer points you would care to know, you have but to ask," he says as a finish, while he selects a few pieces of fruit to eat.
"About the kobolds, don't let their size fool you. They are evil, and treacherous. I don't want us to slaughter them, if that is even possible, but we need to get them away from the town, and the people living here."
Talia smiles at Avogadro, and bows slightly. "M. Avogadro, please don't concern yourself. I've known Lensing and Silas a long time, and owe them a number of favours, not least for their help in buying this very inn. I'd be most embarrassed if they returned and found that I'd been charging you. I apologise for bring up the subject the day before yesterday, I was ... well a little disappointed when you vouchsafed so little about the tower. I miss my own adventuring days and ... well, it was wonderful to hear your stories yesterday, in the end."
A look of concern passes across her face when she hears Leng mention Silas, however. "M. Leng, you said Silas' drivers were taken at Faldamont? Do you know more?"
"Sadly, all I know is that his drivers were arrested in Faldamont. I, ah, did not have the opportunity to learn the particulars," he says a bit awkwardly.
Avogadro's eyes narrow at the monks awkwardness
He bows deeply before Talia
"Thank you Talia, it is now I that is in your debt"
The impression that Leng gives is not so much that he's avoiding the question, as that he is just not an especially charismatic man and he isn't sure how to reply.
"You sound much like Roet when you speak of your training. Me, I'm a simple woodsman, a druid of the Verduran Forest, and I shall be spending this morning looking for a longbow. Aaron, Leng, do you mind casting an eye over them too? Since Erastil and a weaponsmith may spot a better one than I ever could."
Arnon smiles.
"Of course I can help you."
"We don't all need to go and do the same things, do we? Leng, Aaron and I shall go shopping and then investigate the kobolds. Avo, you take Garekk and Pip and get your things then deal with the gems. Save the burglar and the library for later. Good?" a very shaky and unleaderlike druid seems irritated by the lack of a more natural one.
"Seems like a plan Mr Sarment. Me and Mr Pip have a lot to discuss anyhow, and Garekk is... Garekk. Shall we meet here for some late lunch and then head over to the manor?"
Arnon goes with Leng and Den to Soorey's Garments.
Arriving at the place he greets the people inside, after casting Enhanced Diplomacy on himself.
"Good Morning, and might Erastil guide you all. We have been referred to this nice establishment for some shopping we need to do. Who can help us with our needs?"
(+2 if Patient Optimist)
Den explains that he is looking for a longbow. Something to serve an acolyte of Erastil - Old Deadeye no less.
Pip was fairly pleased to wander around town with Avogadro and Garekk. The astounding one was a fascinating character to talk to, and Garekk was... well, he was good in a fight. Only marginally less scary than Roet--if only for Roet's stalwart belief in his order--and, perhaps, the new fellow. Remained to be seen what he could do. But Garekk seemed as honorable as a traveling companion need be.
"So," Pipernortin says with an eager wringing of his hands before he takes the small pile of coin from his share and stuffs it into a pouch at his side, "Where to?"
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Garekk chuckles ruefully at Avogardro's uncertain assessment of him. "Yes, I am Garekk." he claps the man on his back. "I am still learning my place in this wide, wild world, and until I have my feet under me, I will remain as I am. But I thank you for your notice, sir. So, what is first on our list? Lead on!"
Leng smiles briefly and nods his head, following Arnon's lead. He seems to be wise enough to recognize that he is not a great conversationalist and unlikely to improve matters.
"Well that's better! Feel more human now, don't you know. Let's go see what the day has in store for us shall we? A shirt first don't you think, cant very well go about town with a ruined outfit can I?!"
Avogadro leads his little party to Soorey's Garments. Then as they arrive and find someone to talk to...
"Good morning! I am Avogadro the Astounding, and these are my friends, you may have heard of our deeds in the ruined tower. I hope you'll join us at Talia's inn later for some drinks and stories? Anyhow, We're here because I'd like to give you some of the treasure I've found, all I need is a new shirt..."
The entire party starts off at Soorey's Garments.
As the group enters, a female half elf looks up from behind the counter. She smiles at Arnon as he introduces himself. There are several other people buzzing about the shop - a couple of additional half elves and maybe another couple of humans.
"Well," she says, "I'm Dorcas Soorey, and welcome to my store. Clothes for the discerning type, don't you know. Wonderful to have real celebrity adventurers visit, that's for sure. Of course we can help with your shirt, my fine, er ...
(Something slightly discomforts her about Avogadro as she goes to measure him, but she soon recovers her composure).
"I don't think we've had your kind in here for many a day. You must be some kind of magician! That's an impressive trick, to hide your shadow like that. Is it easy? Speaking of tricks, I hear that wizard Hunclay's found dead! That man always spooked me. They say he worshipped devils and collected evil books! Anyhow, I suppose the baroness has sent you after our missing druid and his wife, now?"
She responds to questions over her shoulder while doing the fitting. "A bow, sir? For Erastil? Well, we're very much for Abadar here. For a bow I would try the general store, or perhaps the Temple of Abadar, who keep some stocks; this being a trading town, which is to say Abadar's town, as you would say."
She finds a pleasant shirt for Avogadro. "These are from Cassomir, five silver each is the normal price. I have them in white, blue and green. You can have them for three silver, as many as I have, and I'll take them in for free. We'd be very proud to have an adventurer wear one of our shirts!"
"Thank you Dorcas. I'm grateful for your help and to know that Abadar has such capable servants both here and in their temple. i shall travel there next. If i can do anything in return then please ask?"
Arnon sees the shirts, and grabs a green one.
"I must say I like these shirts. I haven't plan on buying one, but I can resist them. 3 silvers, you said?"
"'some kind of magician'? my dear I am Avogadro the Astounding! The trickiest tricks are trivial to the truly talented"
Avogadro produces a bouquet of flowers the same colour as the half-elf's dress and presents it to her
"I shall take two of each if you please"
Avogadro hands over 2gc, refusing any change
"Missing druids? Have you heard anything yourself. We have not been explicitly tasked but we are hoping to see the Baroness this afternoon."
Dorcas smiles, a most charming smile, at the priest. "That is very much your colour, your, um, reverence."
She turns to Avogadro as he produces the flowers, and clasps her hands, giggling with delight. "Well I never did, M. Avogadro. You gentlemen can certainly come here again!"
She lowers her voice. "Azmur Kell, the druid. And Rima, his wife. We used to see them all the time. Not that I have any time for this Green Faith nonsense, mind you - no harm in it, not like those Shelyn layabouts, - but no use for it in the retail trade. Anyhow, nobody has seen them for weeks! I asked the sheriff, just the other day, said he'd look into it. I've heard nothing since, though."
"Do you know what they were up to when they were last seen, mysterious religious rituals?"
She shakes her head. "No, though it's all a mystery to me, this green stuff. They were both nice people, as far as I was concerned. We'd only just taken an order for some material for L. Rima. Sent all the way to Faldamont for it."
Arnon returns the smile.
"Arnon, please, as all my friends call me. That is a long way to ask for an order. Con you tell us, if it is not much bother, what it was what they ordered?"
"Why, Reverend Arnon, thank you. As to your question: some very nice dress material. In green, made of satin. She's a dressmaker herself, a very decent one, in her spare time. I can have it fetched from the back if you'd like to see it."
Arnon laughs.
"Just Arnon, please. If you are so kind I would love to see it."
Dorcas calls to the back of the shop "Elwyn, would you be so kind as to bring L. Rima's Vudran silk to the counter?"
After less than a minute another young, quite beautiful, half elf woman appears with an amount of cloth over her arm. The cloth is green and decorated with embroidered pictures of strange birds and flowers, sewn into the cloth in careful patterns.
Dorcas smiles as she holds out the cloth. "Beautiful, isn't it? It's called Vudran, or Vandu, silk. It's come a long way, on caravans from the east, through neutral traders in the Katheer markets. This particular style of embroidery is very much the fashion, right now, in the Taldan cities. L. Rima is very much a connoisseur."
She sighs. "A lovely lady, a very lovely lady," she says, wistfully.
Leng idles about the shop, occasionally glancing at this piece or that, but mostly just standing with his hands gripping his rope belt and not making much conversation.
Arnon examines the cloth.
He obviously doesn't have any idea what he is looking for.
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At the news of the missing druid, Garekks ears perk up and he leans into the conversation. "Missing druids? Where are they normally found? Perhaps we can find something out for you. How often do they come into town?"
The hulking brute of a half orc is uncharacteristically deft in inserting himself into the conversation, and lithely interjects his question.
Den just listens from near the back - so that he can keep half an eye on Draken outside. He does become very attentive about the missing druids and waits for directions to their home - silently congratulating Garekk for asking that question.
"I think they live in the forest somewhere. I couldn't tell you how often they're in town, but there's a large community around their faith, so ... a lot, I suppose. I would see L. Rima perhaps every couple of weeks."
Pip wanders around the shop, distracted, and touching things when Dorcas isn't looking. As much as he enjoyed some fine attire and a good haberdashery, he was more concerned with simple things right now. Things like getting paid and getting the kobolds paid so they can head off somewhere safer for everyone.
Strangely enough, it would probably be the Bank of Abadar that would be most helpful in that matter...
Arnon pays the 3 silver pieces for the green shirt.
Leng sidles up by Pip, then leans down as if to look at something the gnome is inspecting and whispers, "You look as if there's something on your mind."